#Whale

A new study by University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researchers shows that nearly 23% of short-finned pilot whales that stranded over 13 years in the main Hawaiian Islands ingested several pounds of plastic ropes, netting, fishing gear and plastic bags that were discarded in the ocean.

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is seeking to fill three primary and four alternate seats on its advisory council. Applications are due by 5 p.m. HST on May 18, 2026.

A total of 1,935 whales were observed across all islands, during the second Ocean Count and Great Whale Count for the 2026 season. On Maui, 847 whales were observed, the most of any location.

From land-borne pathogens to high-speed vessel strikes, Pacific whales and dolphins are caught in a “perfect storm” where human-caused trauma and infectious diseases were found in more than 65% of investigated strandings. A study spanning nearly two decades by University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researchers provides insights into the threats whales and dolphins face in the Pacific Islands. 

With the help of friends, colleagues and community, Kaufman created a lasting impact. For the past four decades, the Maui Whale Festival, which runs throughout February each year, has honored the arrival and departure of these majestic creatures.

With the return of humpback whales to Hawaiʻi waters, including some early reports of multiple mother/calf pairs, ocean users are reminded to keep a safe and legal distance and mariners are asked to reduce their speed.

Ocean conservation nonprofit Pacific Whale Foundation invites nature photographers from around the globe to enter their favorite marine wildlife image in PWF’s fourth annual Whale of a Photo Contest now through July 20, 2023, for possible inclusion in the organization’s 2024 Marine Life Calendar. 

Trilogy Excursions hosted the student body of Sacred Hearts School on private whale watch tours to experience humpback whales in their natural habitat.

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary advisory council will meet virtually on Friday, Jan. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The meeting is open to the public.

An “abundance of mother/calf pairs” have been observed in and around Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, prompting a reminder to ocean users to proceed with caution.

NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary in Kīhei will host presentations about the upcoming 2019-2020 whale season on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019 from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Pacific Whale Foundation’s Ocean Spirit spotted its first whale of the season this morning, Oct. 9, 2019 at exactly 11 a.m. The spotting was made in the ʻAuʻau Channel between Maui and Lānaʻi by PWF Captain Chris Walsh during a private Ocean Camp charter.

Great Whale Count volunteers collected data from 12 sites across Maui on March 30.  A total of 219 whales were seen from Maui throughout the day.

A total of 168 whale sightings were seen during the 8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. time period, the most of any time period throughout the day’s count.

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary’s annual Ocean Count will take place on Jan. 26, 2019 despite the federal government shutdown.

Approaching humpback whales when on or in the water within 100 yards or within 1,000 feet by air is illegal.

The Pacific Whale Foundation’s Ocean Explorer vessel reported spotting its first whale sighting of the season with assistance from Maui Diamond this morning, Oct. 8, 2018 at 8:08 a.m. The sighting occurred 2.4 miles North of Molokini heading towards Māʻalaea Harbor.

A whale offshore of the McGregor Point Lighthouse in West Maui was observed in a headstand position for approximately four minutes. What does it mean?

Volunteers across Maui counted 529 humpback whales, including 335 pods and 62 calves during the Pacific Whale Foundation’s Great Whale Count 2018.

Pacific Whale Foundation’s Ocean Journey, on its first whalewatch of the day, came across the rarest of finds — placenta in the water, presumed to be from a humpback whale.